Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mira Nair approaches directing with the “heart of a poet and the skin of an elephant,” spurred by rejection and fighting to bring uncompromising stories to film. In the Golden Lion-winning director’s MasterClass, learn to make a big impact on a small budget in film production, evoke the best from actors and nonactors, and protect your creative vision so you tell the story that can only come from you.

Syllabus

Introduction

Meet your new instructor: award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair. In your first lesson, Mira shares with you the two qualities every filmmaker needs to have—and why it's important for you to go out and make your own films.

Discovering Your Unique Voice

Mira’s philosophy for filmmaking is rooted in individuality and creating films only you can make. Learn how to forge your own path, hone your craft, and use your distinctiveness to your advantage.

Finding the Story

Mira teaches the importance of tapping into culture and politics to inspire your story. Learn how tenacity, collaboration, and feedback are key elements in developing a story into a script.

Stretching Your Budget

Never reveal your struggle. Mira teaches you how to maximize your resources as an independent filmmaker—however limited they may be.

Casting

The relationship between director and actor is built on trust. Learn what it takes to cast the right actor and get them to reveal their true spirit on camera.

Directing Actors

Learn how to direct both child and adult actors, develop natural and honest chemistry with actors, and incorporate background action.

Directing Gestures

Mira shares her methods for incorporating unique and humanizing gestures into the actors’ performances in order to add life to the frame.

Scene Workshop, Part 1: Read-Through and Blocking

In Part 1 of Mira’s scene workshop, Mira works with two actors—Madina Nalwanga and Philip Luswata—from Queen of Katwe to teach you how to direct intensely emotional scenes.

Scene Workshop, Part 2: Rehearsing the Scene

In Part 2 of Mira’s scene workshop, Mira works with Madina Nalwanga to demonstrate how to support an actor an work with them to emotionally prepare for a scene.

Scene Workshop, Part 3: Final Take

In Part 3 of Mira’s scene workshop, Mira breaks down how actors Philip Luswata and Madina Nalwanga work with Mira’s direction to enhance their performances.

Telling the Story: Monsoon Wedding

For Mira, Monsoon Wedding was a chance to experiment with telling a story inspired by her upbringing. Learn how to balance emotions in a story to bring out the universal truths and connect your story with a larger audience.

Developing a Visual Palette

Mira discusses what a visual point of view is, how to manifest your point of view through a lookbook, and how to collaborate with your team to elevate the aesthetic of your film.

On-Set Directing

Bravery and humility are crucial to Mira’s process as a director. Learn Mira’s advice for preparing for life on set, including how to create harmony with the crew and actors and conserve your creative energy.

Working With Your Cinematographer

Mira says that the best cinematographers she has worked with are “poets of light.” Learn how to find the right cinematographer for your film and work together to design a cinematic style.

Editing

Learn the benefits of working closely with an editor throughout shooting, and how to use rhythm and juxtaposition of scenes in the edit to alter the mood of your film.

Sound and Music

Mira teaches her philosophy on directing the viewer’s eye and heart with sound, advice for working with a composer, and how to use silence in an impactful way.